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Cavaliers prepared for playoff run

After having dominated the Glory For Christ conference during the 2013 regular season, the Augusta Prep Cavaliers open the postseason at home this Friday.

The Cavaliers finished the year 8-1, 5-0 GFC, to earn the first round home-field-advantage.

Head coach Harry Bacheller’s squad opens with the Skipstone Academy Warriors (4-4, 2-4), who they beat 43-18 at home on October 11. The Cavaliers enter as the No. 1 seed from the East Division while Skipstone Academy is the No. 2 wildcard, also from the East. Skipstone faces a big challenge against a Cavaliers team that averages just under 37 points-per-game while allowing just under 13 points-per-game.

In the teams’ first meeting, the Cavaliers rushed for a total of 276 yards, bolting out to a 23-0 first-quarter lead. Running back Kevin Huggins rushed 14 times for 147 yards and two touchdowns while fullback Nolan Brandon rushed for 95 yards on 14 carries and two scores.

Behind an imposing offensive line, the Cavaliers’ rushing attack is a three-headed Hydra between Brandon, Huggins and quarterback Nate Pylant. For the year, the Cavaliers average 285 rushing yards-per-game.

Brandon (1,281 yards, 19 TDs) is the first 1,000-yard rusher in school history and was the CSRA’s leading rusher heading into the team’s final regular season game against the Augusta Eagles on Friday. He carried the ball just three times for 28 yards and two touchdowns before coming out of the game in the first quarter.

Huggins (732 yards, 8 TDs) compliments Brandon’s bruising style with his elusiveness and ability to turn the corner. Also the team’s kicker, Huggins has 37 extra points for the year.

Pylant runs the show, deciding who gets the ball in the Cavaliers’ option attack and has called his own number 63 times for 611 yards and nine touchdowns. While not called upon heavily to pass, he has completed 16-26 for 392 yards and three touchdowns.

The semifinal and championship rounds will be played at St. Pius High School on Saturday, November 9 and Saturday, November 16, respectively. With a win Friday, the Cavaliers would face the Crown (Woodstock, Ga.) and East Atlanta winner in the semifinals.